"They're not sure if she'd be the fifth judge, but they are talking to her. People tuned in to see Paula's wacky antics and her chemistry with [Simon Cowell]. The show is just not as much fun to watch without her."

In addition, the source told In Touch that Fox executives are afraid the upcoming loss of Cowell -- who will leave the judging panel after the show's currently airing ninth season -- could damage the show's ratings.

Cowell inked a deal with Fox in January that will end his American Idol judging role and launch his British The X Factor reality competition series on the network in Fall 2011.

He immediately began hinting that The X Factor may give him a chance to reunite with Abdul, and she subsequently stated she "absolutely" still talks to Cowell but continued to play coy when pressed whether it had to do with her possible involvement with The X Factor.

(Photo credit Fox)

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